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JOHN THE BAPTIST 

(In Verse) 



BY 

GEO. A. LOFTON 



"Semen est sanguis Christianorum " 

— TERTULLIAN 



PRICE, 25 CKNT9 



SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD 

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION 

NASHVILLE, TENN. 

1905 



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Copyright, 1905, by the Sunday School Board 
Southern Baptist Convention 



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PREFACE. 



The author's aim in this short production is to bring 
out the grandeur of life and character pictured in the 
brief career of John the Baptist; to develop the evan- 
gelicity of his doctrine and work as symbolized in his 
baptism; and to demonstrate that he was a heroic Baptist 
martyr who sealed his testimony, as such, with his 
blood — who left us the imperishable treasury of Baptist 
doctrine and practice, first taught in the gospel — and who 
bequeathed to us the sacred name we bear, the symbolic 
patronym of all saving truth and grace contained in the 
word of God. The merit of the poem is left to the 
judgment of the reader — its effect for good to the bless- 
ing of God. ' G. A. L. 

(3) 



CONTENTS. 

Page 

I. John's Character 5 

II. John's Baptism 12 

III. John's Preaching 22 

IV. John's Baptism of Jesus 29 

V. John's Mission Ended 37 

VI. Death of John 46 

(4) 



JOHN THE BAPTIST. 



I. JOHN'S CHARACTER. : 

I 

Of noblest birth, in priestly line, was John 
The Baptist, manhood's greatest son ; for none 
Of woman born than he was greater save 
The Son of Mary who than man was more. 
With Spirit filled from mother's womb and framed 
In sturdy mould and stern, Elijah come 
Again was he — the antitype of that 
Ideal prophet flamed of God in word 
And deed and chariot-borne above in fire. 
Not born as other men to die. 

II 

Elijah-like he was and sudden came 
Unknown of men, in desert bred, and pure 
From touch of earth and times corrupt, afraid 
Of none, Ahabs nor Herods dread, nor men 
Of any state. Though clad in camel's hair 



6 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Ax\6. leathern girt, on locusts fed — though ne'er 
To kingly palace known or raiment soft — 
Within him lived a princely soul that lodged 
A man of men, a man of God imbued 
And kept that none could taint or terrify, 
Though born, unlike his prototype, by hands 
Of men to die. 

Ill 
Within that soul enshrined was virgin life 
And truth unsoiled by human cult, or creed. 
Or doubtful custom. Freedom-bred was he. 
Unshackled was in thought and purpose high 
His God alone to serve and glorify, 
And faithful prove to mortal man. 
As desert lion lone, with shaggy lock 
And beard, he lived the king of self and men. 
And scorned the prey of meaner things that taint 
The baser sort. Upon his pallid face 
And wan that flashed with eagle eye, there reigned 
The holy mien of godly life and force 
Of character that mystery enthrone, 
And men attract, and sinners move. About 
His rugged brow that knit with student care, 
There gathered fast and deep the pregnant clouds 
Of earnest, anxious thought that vivid broke 



JOHN'S CHARACTER. 7 

With lightning flash and thunder peal, and flood 
Of grace upon the multitudes that heard 
Entranced, repented and believed. 

IV 
With fervid lip and burning tongue, and filled 
With God, he spake with eloquence divine 
That pierced the heart of Judah's frozen pride 
And darkest Galilee. From far and near — 
From mountain, hill and dale — from city great 
And village small — the hosts of Israel dead 
Were quicked and moved to hear the magic voice 
And feel the magic touch of John whose might 
No earthly charm possessed — no earthly force 
Endued — no earthly law controlled. 

V 

And whence this power of John the Baptist great? 
This lonely hermit of the wilderness ? 
The desert wild and solitude his home 
And college were, where God and Nature taught 
And whence he drew his creed of righteousness 
And truth that mercy warmed and love, unwarped 
By policy of men or priestly craft. 
By science or religion falsely called. 
The beasts and birds so free on Judah's hills, 



8 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

The fish that sport in Jordan's stream and glad, 
To him companions closer were than men, 
And friendlier to God. The bloom of Spring 
And Summer's fruit — the fading Autumn leaf 
And Winter's grave — that varied seasons brought, 
To him revealed the constant laws of God 
And changeless order fast in sun and moon 
And star, that good and mercy wrought for man 
Through providential care. He heard the voice 
Of God in thunder peal, and saw his glimpse 
In lightning gleam, and felt his power in storm 
And tempest grand that swept the verdant vale 
Or tore the mountain side ; and through the change 
Of desolating death and nascent time, 
Beheld the shadowed curse and cure of sin, 
And felt afar the resurrection joy 
Of life renewed. 

VI 
Within his hand he clasped with open page 
The Word of God — the Testament of old ; 
And thus he looked and clear, with eye undimmed 
By fleshly film or worldly hue, into 
The books of God and Nature true — the old 
And oldest revelation — both divine 
And pure. By nature true and Spirit-filled — 



JOHN'S CHARACTER. 9 

To nature" true and Spirit-led — he grew 
To manhood's noblest prime in righteousness 
And truth, and graduate with honors first 
In God's great university. 

VII 

Of men who knew him not he saw enough 
To human nature know and judge by self 
Observed and from the Word of God. He probed 
The depths of mortal sin, of racial guilt 
And doom; and hence his deepest thought on Him 
That was to come. The sacred Book he searched 
From Genesis to Malachi, as taught 
Of God and studied weary years. In type 
And shadow lit — in every prophet writ — 
"The Lamb of God" he saw, as slain, from earth's 
Foundation old, the sin of earth to take 
Away." Of Bible inspiration full, to John, 
There was no doubt ; and hence to man 
The trumpet never blew that gave a sound 
Uncertain. Nought he cared for critic high, 
Or critic low, nor yet for Hillel wise, 
Gamaliel great, or Saul — for doctors learned 
Nor Scribe or Pharisee. Untramelled thus 
By school of Jew or Greek, of cult or creed — 



10 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

And far from modern university — 

The Baptist came upon the scene as "sent" 

Of God, as mortal free from earthly touch, 

Divinely called and qualified to preach 

The Gospel true and point the world to Christ, 

"The Lamb of God." 

VIII 

For every time and mission high a man 
Of God prepared there is ; but since the day 
Of John the Baptist great — and save the day 
Of Christ and his apostles true — the world 
Hath never seen another John — his like! 
Not all th' apostles so, as John, were great 
And true ; and since their day the leaders grand 
Of thought and deed, of reformations bold. 
Of progress wide and reaching far, the world 
Have marred by selfish aim, conflicting creed 
And multiplied division born of strife. 
Of such was not the simple John and true — 
With Spirit filled and taught of God — and great 
In brave humility, chivalric plumed 
In honor bright, the knighted herald armed 
With truth and righteousness, puissant come 
To war and win the way for Christ. 



JOHN'S CHARACTER. 11 

IX 

And such a man essential was to break. 
Between the old and new the light of life 
And liberty that dim had flickered o'er 
The past from hopeful glimpse of coming Star 
Of Bethlehem. The shackled ages gone 
Were dead beneath the tread of despotism, 
Religious, Civic, Social — all ; and e'en the law 
That Moses gave, became the bondage dread 
Of yoke that none could wear and live — 
That brought, at last, the deadly cult and creed 
Of Pharisee, the curse of lifeless form 
And orthodoxy. John was legal cast, 
But Spirit-born anew and Spirit-filled 
With gospel light and life, and fit alone 
Of God and culture stern to break the chains 
Religious forged, and point the world in bonds 
To liberty — the coming Christ. The first 
Of Freedom's sons was John, free born and bred ; 
And lone and loud from wilderness that typed 
A desert world, proclaimed the Kingdom Come 
Of him that blossom should as Sharon's rose 
And lily fair in all the world's great waste 
Of sin and woe. 



II. JOHN'S BAPTISM. 

I 
He sudden rose in Judah's wilds and preached 
On Jordan's sacred shore, and there beneath 
Its hquid bosom deep and pure baptized 
The thousands who, repentant, sin confessed. 
His theme was Christ to come, whose kingdom was 
At hand, that, unrepentant, none could see 
Or enter. Signified repentance was 
By fruits of righteousness that worthy grew ; 
And symbolized remission was of sin 
By water pure — outward washing typing full 
The inward cleansing which repentance wrought. 
Twas righteousness, Josephus shows of old, 
Preceded first baptismal rite, as held 
Of John — the righteousness of faith that looked 
To Christ and not to law, repentance moved 
And fruitful proved, that sin's forgiveness brought 
As shadowed forth in water. 

II 
There were who proudly came to John and sought 
Baptismal rite upon the boast of birth 

(12) 



JOHN'S BAPTISM. 13 

In Abram's line — the lofty Pharisee 

And Sadducee — nor bore the fruits that show 

Repentance. John the viper brood refused ; 

Them warned to flee the wrath to come, as men 

Of lowest birth, nor think to say within 

Themselves that Abram old their father was. 

The God of grace could children raise alone 

To Abraham by faith in hearts of stone. 

Repentance-moved and spirit-bom ; nor all 

The flood of Jordan's stream, because of faith 

Or blood ancestral claimed, could make them such. 

Ill 
'Twas here that John the fundamental stone 
Of Gospel order laid on which to build 
The structure strong of future church erect — 
"Believers' Baptism," Jesus taught; nor blood, 
Nor birth, nor will of man — parental faith 
Nor holiness — nor any fed'ral bond. 
Ancestral, carnal or religious shown — 
Baptismal rite can e'er bestow. Not e'en 
The noblest seed of faithful Abraham, 
Though circumcised and righteous held by law, 
Adult or infant born, lineal right 
Could show of baptism. 



14 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

IV 

'Twas thus that Baptist John the primal step 
That infant rite impHed, and every form 
That rituahstic holds of Christ, forestalled — 
And once for all. Religion true of Christ 
To come, or having come, is Spirit-born 
And freedom-bred to pers'nal trust in Him 
And voluntary so ; nor ever wrought, 
Except by grace, in Abram's seed, through faith 
In Jew and Greek the same, to whom alike 
The "promise" holds. Salvation's thus "to all 
The seed" that's Spirit-born, and not by force 
Of faith parental, priestly proxy, nor 
Of Sacramental rite, nor organism ; 
For fed'ral holiness, or sin, that's born 
Paternal, or communicate by man. 
Abhorrent is to grace that saves alone 
The "whosoever" comes by faith. Our Christ 
Alone is Head — our Prophet, Priest and King- 
To whom the soul direct must come, and not 
Through Pharisaic scheme of indirect 
Redemption — carnal medium wrought. 

V 

The fleshly seed of Abraham, indeed, 
Were fleshly circumcised to signify 



JOHN'S BAPTISM. 15 

A fleshly tovenant that keeps intact 
A fleshly line that only typifies 
The spiritual — the seed of Abraham 
As circumcised in heart by faith in Christ 
And born again of God, and symbolized 
By water now. But circumcision ne'er 
Hath saved a soul, in man or infant born, 
Nor doth baptismal water save, nor help 
To save, through covenant relation, nor 
By sin's remission, thus secured. The blood 
Of Jesus Christ alone, by faith, the soul 
Can cleanse from all unrighteousness. 

VI 

As "sent" of God the Baptist came, and so 
"From Heav'n" his baptism was, and not "of men : 
Nor did it circumcision substitute, 
As Pharisee and Sadducee who sought 
It thus in line of Abram, seemed to think 
It then, or now as Pedobaptists hold. 
The rite was new in form and new designed 
To symbolize the evangelic new. 
And not the legal dispensation old 
That held the Jew in bondage ever lost 
In shadows dim of better things to come. 



16 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Tlie typic sprinklings ceased as signs of things 

Imperfect — so of circumcision save 

As fam'ly badge of fleshly Jew — and so 

Of paschal lamb and sacrificial blood 

That none could perfect make; but gospel rites 

O'erwhelming represent, in symbols full, 

The perfect work of saving grace through blood 

That crucial flowed and death that dug the grave 

Of Christ who rose again to give us life 

And wash our sins away. And so 'twas thus 

Of John's baptismal form — all-over washed 

Because all-inward cleansed and quickened from 

The death of sin through faith in Christ to come, 

Rej>entance shown and fruits of righteousness, 

That full remission brought, eternal so. 

From sin's o'erwhelming guilt and doom. Alas! 

To sprinkle or to pour for rite of John, 

Baptismal, symbolizes shadows past, 

But not the substance of the gospel. 

VII 

And so it was that John the genius fixed 
Of gospel truth and order, ere the scheme 
Was full revealed. No semblance hath the church 
Of Christ to legal form or order old ; 



JOHN'S BAPTISM. 17 

For under 'grace we are, nor under law, 

Nor any carnal covenant that shapes 

The Church in legal frame. Of Sarah old, 

The woman free, we are, and children true 

And freedom-born of Isaac's seed in line 

Of g-race ; but Ishmaelite in bondage born 

Of law, of Hagar's pedigree, the church 

Is not. Jerusalem the free we are 

And born above, but not Jerusalem 

Below. The Mount of Calvary we touch 

In love, and not old Sinai in fear. 

The infant rite is Sinaitic born 

As substitute of circumcision old 

And misconstrued, and placed amiss in line 

Of covenantal grace ; and so the same 

Of legal sprinklings all and kindred rites 

In every form as ritualistic means 

Of grace that shape the Church in legal form 

And bondage born of Moses. 

VIII 

'Tis true there were before the days of John 
Who saw the day of Christ to come — believed. 
As Abel, Abraham and Moses — so 
Of thousands more that saw the bloody cross 



18 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

In type and prophecy that saved the soul 

By grace, as now so then ; but nought there was 

Of Gospel Church, or rite, or form, till John 

The Kingdom preached and Christ the Church 

Did organize. The saints of old were born 

Of God the same as now through faith in Christ 

To come, as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Job 

And Abraham, before the carnal rite 

Of circumcision, seal of righteousness 

Alone that tokened Abram's faith, but ne'er 

The faith of saint who since believed, except 

As type of heart renewed of seed in line 

Of Abraham that's Spirit-born as he ; 

For circumcision nought avails to save 

The soul, uncircumcision neither so, 

But only faith that works by love in heart 

Renewed; and what was true of legal rites 

Is true the same of gospel forms, to save 

The soul. Nor dispensation old, nor church 

Of Christ, at hands of priest or preacher bold, 

Essential arbitrary ever held 

To ope or close the doors of heav'n or hell 

To mortal man. Of faith it is that grace 

May reign to save the soul ; and "all of grace" 



JOHN'S BAPTISM. 19 

It is or "hone," nor aught of water, work 
Nor priestly hands. 

IX 

The saints of old to theocratic fold 
Belonged as ruled by law, and not to church 
Of Christ, the democratic fold, and ruled 
By grace. The fold of old in bondage lived, 
Though typic still of Kingdom free, because 
Elect and kept of God external so ; 
And though the real sheep remained among 
The typic sheep, yet free and Spirit-born 
He lived above the law. The child he was 
Of Abraham by faith and circumcised 
In heart — the antitype of typic Jew 
Himself did represent and live among, 
As circumcised in flesh. The "olive good," 
Religion true, the root and fat of which 
Was Abram's faith in Christ, was thus retained 
In line of Israel old, the ancient fold. 
Till Christ, the substance true of "olive good," 
Had come and grace revealed to all the world. 
Believers thus of Christ among the Jews 
Were "natural branches" graft into this tree ; 
But unbelief, at last, did break them off. 



20 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

And in their stead the Gentile branches grown 
Of "olive wild," religion false, by faith, 
And not by carnal rite, nor priestly hand. 
Were grafted in. 

X 

'Twas thus that John the Baptist formed the link 
Betwixt the old and new in Spirit line, 
The same in ages all and never broke 
From Abraham till now — nor Adam back ; 
But left behind the legal shadows all 
And introduced anew the gospel rite 
That symbolized in full the whole of grace 
That saves by faith in Him who was at hand. 
And so he preached as prophesied so long — 
As typified by Kingdom old and dead — 
The Kingdom new and now, at last, begun 
At Jordan's stream, within whose waters pure. 
As we shall see, he set in type the shaft 
Of truth, and monumental grand, of death 
And life again of Him the world should save. 
Before he came and symbolized the fact 
Himself. Of God it was designed in heav'n 
And shaped in form and fashion so that all 
Of truth that saves was writ in liquid light 
Upon its crystal sides ; and there it stands 



JOHN'S BAPTISM. 21 

To-day, for every age, in mind of man 

The true and starting point of progress grand 

And Christian held to all the world. As when 

Old Joshua twelve stones did set in midst 

Of Jordan's stream to mark the line between 

The wilderness and promised land, so Christ, 

At hands of John, did set the landmark first 

Of Kingdom new against the Kingdom old, 

In Jordan's flood, where ages changed their front 

And faced, in resurrection hope, to God 

And future glory. This baptismal rite 

Of John did monumental shadow forth 

The world as risen from the dead and lift 

To God ; from Jordan old to every land 

Of earth we know, each sea and lake and stream 

Hath since a million times, in every age. 

This typic stone erect again that John 

Set up. 



III. JOHN'S PREACHING. 

I 

But John was Baptist preacher great, and sound 
In doctrine true, as practical and plain 
As true. He boldly lashed the hypocrites 
Of lofty line that to the waters came 
With Abrahamic claim, as viper broods 
That must repent to flee the wrath to come, 
And fruitful worthy show, to be baptized. 
So Herod, King- of Galilee, that much 
Admired the Baptist, came and earnest sought 
To hear ; and faithful John, to save his soul, 
The King reproved of evils which his life 
Had cursed and foul adultery — and but 
For wicked wife, his soul he might have kept. 
The people came and cried: ''What must we do?' 
What fruitage bring to show repentance true, 
And be baptized? To those that had, he taught 
To give; to those in office, honesty; 
To those in arms, content and peace with man ; 
And thus in love and truth the masses showed 
And plain the ways of God. 

(22) 



JOHN'S PREACHING. 23 

II 

With axe of truth as keen as razor's edge, 
And only broad to humble honesty, 
He laid at root of Judaistic tree 
That ritualistic bore the fruit of death — 
Proclaimed to all the earth that every tree 
Of good unfruitful shown, cut down should be 
And cast into the fire by Him who was 
To come and close at hand ; whose fan was in 
His hand his threshing floor to thorough purge 
Of worthless chaff and burn with quenchless flame ; 
His wheat in garners high, and safely there, 
To gather. 

Ill 

No honied words, no latitude of phrase 
That doubtful leaves, no posing attitude 
Or action fine or intonation art 
Affecting truth, no empty platitude 
Of speech, he used to sinners faithful warn, 
Or scourge the sins of men he told to flee 
The wrath to come. Before the prophet, stern 
And true, the trembling sinner stood in awe 
Of God and coming doom, repented and 
Confessed ; and deep beneath the Jordan's flood 
Obedient was to symbolize his sin's 
Remission. 



24 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

IV 
"With many other exhortations preached" 
The Baptist there of "tidings good unto 
The people." Volumes scarce could full unfold 
His short but mighty ministry of truth 
And love that righteous warned his fellow man 
Of coming wrath, and thousands led to faith 
In Him to come. 'Twas thus that John the way 
Prepared, the paths made straight, the valleys filled, 
And mountain high and hill did level low, 
For Him, the King, whose reign had now begun 
In hearts of men, and whom, as such and close 
At hand, the Baptist herald loud proclaimed. 
"Till John the law and prophets were: since then 
The Kingdom's preached of heav'n" — of which was 

John 
And which he preached as preached it was by Christ 
And his apostles all — and "every man 
Into it presseth," since, or else by force 
Do "take it," both before and after day 
Of Pentecost, that some deny in vain. 

V 

The Baptist's fame had reached its height, when all 
The region round had flocked to hear his voice 



JOHN'S PREACHING. 25 

And feel his power. It stirred the heart and far 

Of Israel old and reached the nation's head ; 

And questions startling rose, in places high, 

That sought to find in terms of prophecy 

The who and what the Baptist was. To some 

He seemed Messiah come, to others still 

Elias more, or prophet Moses-like 

Of promise old; and priests and Levites wise 

To John, betimes, were sent to institute 

An inquisition Judaistic — type 

Of all the inquisitions since that guard 

Established order old and keep intact 

The Pharisaic rule. 

VI 

The Baptist great, and grander yet in his 
Humility, disclaimed the semblance e'en 
Of Christ; and though Elijah-like and come 
As he in spirit-pow'r, declined the name 
Of prophet typified, or prophet old 
As Moses-like. A "voice" alone was he, 
Obscure, nor gave himself a name, save "one," 
As "crying in the wilderness" for God 
And human good — to herald Christ, the King, 
Who coming after him preferred before 
Him was, whose sandal strings to loose 



26 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Himself unworthy held. 'Twas thus the "voice" 
That soon should cease — the "one" of self and pride 
Bereft — replied. 

VII 

But still the inquisition blind the meek 
Confessor pressed : "If thou be not the Christ, 
Elijah not, nor promised prophet, why 
Dost thou baptize?" — a sign they seemed to feel 
As Messianic mark essential to 
His Kingly reign and coming. 

VIII 
The lowly Baptist, lofty and sublime, 
And filled with God — ambition, pride and self 
Unknown to him — the answer humbly made : 
"In water I baptize to signify 
Repentance and remission symbolize 
Of sin ; but He that cometh after me 
Shalt thou baptize in Holy Ghost and fire." 
And so it was at Pentecost the church. 
With Spirit filled and gift with tongue of fire. 
Endued of God, was thus baptized in fact ; 
And sinners pierced and Spirit-born anew, 
By thousands in a day, "were saved" and so 
Were washed, as John baptized, and "added" to 



JOHN'S PREACHING. 27 

The Church with spirit filled and tongue 
Of fire. 

IX 
External and symbolic was the work 
Of John and brief : eternal was the work 
Of Christ and Spirit-wrought within the hearts 
Of men and so upon the Church. The work 
Of John was but the introduction brief. 
The shadow cast before the great event 
To come and soon, the which "confessed" by him, 
"Denied he not." But little like was he 
The thousands who themselves have seemed to feel 
The major part of God's redemptive work; 
Or who exalt the human side of grace 
Above the side divine ; or who themselves 
And human nature boast, as if our God 
Beside them was exceeding small, or else 
Dependent. John the Baptist felt himself 
As nothing but a "voice" impersonate — 
The voice of God who through him spake 
To men. Of man he only thought as lost 
And needing God ; of man he nothing asked 
Except to do him good ; to God he bowed 
In everything. How small we preachers seem 
Beside this man of men — titanic in 



28 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

HVimility, and in simplicity 

Gigantic man — in courage, hero brave 

Who fearless preached the truth and duty did 

Despite the odds and to the death ! 

X 

The model preacher John the Baptist was. 
With Spirit filled and taught of God the truth 
Of sacred word, he spake right on, nor spake 
Amiss his fellow man to please and souls 
Forget. As dying man before the dead 
In sin he stood in view of judgment yet 
To come ; nor honors mortal shown, nor more 
The terrors mortal threat, e'er turned his eye 
From God and future recompense. Bereft 
Of self-conceit and fear of man, his God 
He never questioned aught, nor asked of man 
Opinion his before he spake or did. 
Elijah-like he spake as God elect 
And did as God direct ; and good or ill 
The consequence, as seemed to mortal man, 
He left to God, and bore the brunt in might 
Of meekness born of faith majestic wrought 
And lion-like in courage. 



IV. JOHN'S BAPTISM OF JESUS. 

I 

At last Messiah came that ages back 
Foretold and nations long had looked to see. 
From Galilee he came o'er weary road 
And sore to John to be baptized of him. 
The Baptist knew him not as then, but took 
His word, and shrank at first th' unseemly task 
Request, that such as he his Lord baptize. 
A sinner saved by grace, yet unbaptized 
Himself, he would have hindered him and cried 
The rather: "Need I have to be baptized 
Of thee." Though Spirit-filled and called to preach 
And so baptize and teach, the Baptist felt, 
Beside his Lord, the "need" to symbolize 
In water first, of sin implied, his own 
Remission ; and, baptized or not, at best. 
Unworthy felt to dip his Lord beneath 
The Jordan wave — who sin knew not, nor need 
Himself to signify repentance thus 
Or sin's remission symbolize. 

(29) 



30 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

II 

A moment's pause. The lowly Master caught 
The startled gaze of John, and calmly spoke, 
In terms of truth assurance gave, and armed 
With matchless grace, conviction wrought without 
An argument. "But suffer't so and now," 
The Master said, "for thus it us becomes 
All righteousness to fulfill." With not 
A word's reply, the Baptist "suffered Him," 
And down into the wat'ry grave he led 
His Lord and buried there the Son of Man 
And King of glory — whom he raised amain 
From tokened death to tokened life again 
That resurrection gives. 

HI 
'Twas "tJius" a duty plain, the Master taught, 
Believers all in Qirist, and like their Lord, 
Should do ; for Christ himself obeyed this law 
Of "righteousness" as every law of God — 
And so it "us" becomes. If qualified 
By grace, 'tis right to be baptized, and so 
It is unrighteous not to be ; no saint, 
The purest born, "of conscience good towards God" 
Can "answer" have — no blessing can expect — 



JOHN'S BAPTISM OF JESUS. 31 

Till Christ he imitates, obeys this rite 
Of righteousness and first of duties done. 

IV 

But otherwise and why should Christ this rite 
Obey? No sin his own he had to mourn, 
And no remission "thus" to symbolize; 
And yet "became he sin" for us and took our stead 
In guilt and condemnation — died for sin 
Impute, or died for nought, and rose again 
Himself and us to justify and us 
To righteous make, through blood remission sealed. 
'Twas "thus" as substitute he came to John 
To represent, in Him, the sinner saved — 
Whose sins he made his own and washed away 
In blood, and thus by water symbolized. 
His justifying righteousness impute 
To us — th' all-righteousness in part — He "thus" 
Fulfilled in Shadow clear that signified 
Without, the cleansing of his blood within 
The sinner's heart "from all unrighteousness." 

V 

But more, he shadowed forth his sorrows deep 
And overwhelming lived — his crucial death 
And grave enclosed — descent among the dead 



32 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

And resurrection triumph won — and "thus" 

By water symbolized ; and so of us. 

In Him, as sinners saved and dead to sin, 

And raised again in soul to walk in life 

Anew — and so, at last, of body dead 

And resurrect from grave, millennial morn. 

'Twas "thus" that Christ fulfilled, in symbol meet, 

Th' all-righteousness complete redemptive scheme 

Reveals ; and so must mortal saint obey 

And imitate his Lord's exemplified 

Command — "for thus it us becomes" — yea, "thus 

It us becomes." 

VI 

The scene sublime of that baptismal hour 
Hath ever touched the heart of men and moved 
The world to make it kin in Christ ; for there 
Behold in adumbration, simply grand. 
The tragedy divine and glory meet 
Of Christ in drama's noblest form and true 
Of real persons present, seen in act 
Sublime — the tableau great of Jesus Christ 
As dead and buried, risen from the grave ! 
As up he rose from Jordan's wave and went 
His way, the skies were rent to witness there 



JOHN'S BAPTISM OF JESUS. 33 

The Son of God to John by sign foretold ; 
And Hke a dove enwreathed in Hght and white 
As snow, the Holy Ghost descending- soft 
Upon Him fell, as God, the Father high, 
With voice of thunder peal and loud, exclaimed: 
"My Son beloved is this in whom well pleased 
I am!" 

vn 

Oh, what a scene was this for angels high 
That millions must have hovered near — for John 
Beneath and mortal men who recognized 
The Christ thus signified of heav'n ! and where. 
To human sense of sight and sound, and clear. 
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the three 
In one, in sep'rate persons met with man 
To signalize in sacred rite sublime. 
Their unity! Immersion thus became 
The symbol grand of Trinity — of God 
In Christ immersed and Spirit-clothed — 
And hence triune its sacred formula 
In terms of Father, Son and Hjoly Ghost ! 

VIII 

The symbol, too, it is of grace divine 
In every doctrine taught that saves the soul — 



34 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Of birth anew by Spirit's quick'ning power — 
Of cleansing blood by Jesus shed to wash 
Away our guilt — of cross and sepulcher, 
Of resurrection grand, of Christ and us 
In Him of soul and body saved to live 
Again. Immersion is the symbol whole 
Of Gospel truth that signifies to save, — 
A crucified Redeemer, buried, ris'n ; 
And giving resurrection life, through death 
To sin, to mortal man. 

IX 

What moral dignity this sacred rite 
Of John that came from heav'n ! that faith demands 
And life eternal giv'n, with sin renounced 
And Christ confessed, as its condition fixed! 
It is the badge of highest honor worn 
By saint, and oath of fealty to Christ ; 
And woe to disobedience dread that shuns 
Its cross, or sacrilege that mars its form, 
Design perverts, or right forbids ! It was 
The way that Jesus went and now commands — 
As opened up by Baptist John, the "sent" 
Of God. 



JOHN'S BAPTISM OF JESUS. 35 

X 

How daring then the awful crime, of Rome 
Confessed, that changed the form that God himself 
This sacred rite endued — and so design 
And subject worse! How weak the arguments 
Of those who seek to prove the Romish change 
Th' original mode and purpose found in word 
Of God that Rome declares she changed, though long 
In practice true of ancient form ! Alas ! 
How strange it seems there's nought too sacred writ 
Of God to hold escape from sacrilege 
Of change at hands of men ! and nought so plain 
That mortal predilection, pref'rence, pride, 
Cannot pervert to doubt, or controvert ! 
If aught was ever clear, it is that John 
Immersed in Jordan's flood the Christ himself 
And thousands more — that Christ himself the same 
Baptismal form enjoined upon the saved, 
"Believers only" — more, that Paul its form 
A washing called "in water pure," and gave 
It monumental symbol full of death 
And burial, resurrection grand, that Rome 
So long confessed nor now denies, and best 
Of scholarship, in all the world, maintains. 
No wile of philologic lore, nor pride 



36 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

That Pharisaic sneers, "Indecency" — 

No shift "convenience" born, nor sophistry 

That "non-essential," disobedient, breeds — 

No doctrine fair that claims "necessity," 

Nor argument that seeks to show, alas ! 

The Jordan shallow so, or else too deep 

To dip — can ever prove to honest mind 

And humble heart that knows enough to know, 

That Baptist John did not immerse, or Christ 

Command it *'thus." 



V. JOHN'S MISSION ENDED. 

I 

The work of John was done. To pave the way 
For Christ to come — disciples make and teach — 
The Son of God to manifest to man, 
His mission was. As Hke a summer cloud 
That thundered, flashed, dissolved in rain 
The world to bless, and rainbow-spanned to bode 
A brighter day and fade away, so John 
Decreased as Christ increased. Not all at once 
The mighty man his zeal relaxed or work 
Released. As speeding train from engine loosed 
And swifter switched apart, momentum keeps 
Till slowed by gradent friction stops, so John 
Cut loose from primal purpose still impelled 
But slowly drew to end his great career. 
As Christ enlarged and overshadowed far 
His fame and work alone preparative. 
As morning star that grandly stood above 
The dawn, he paled at last within the glow 
Of rising Sun — but faded shone eclipsed 
And blended soft with His supernal beams. 



(37) 



38 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Bethabara and Enon where because 
"Of water much" he still baptized, echoed 
His mission yet permissive kept and so 
His glory. Still he made disciples — taught 
Them how to pray and oft to fast — a fact 
Tliat inquisition brought to Christ himself 
By his disciples whom, as John, he taught 
To pray and how, but not to fast so long 
As He, the bridal Groom, and they, the sons 
Of bridal chamber, were together. 

II 

Again 'twere John's disciples stirred by Jew 
About the purifying question. They 
The Baptist thus : "Rabbi, behold, 'tis he 
That with thee was beyond the Jordan flood, 
Whom thou didst witness there, the same doth now 
Baptize, and now to him all men do come.'' 
'Twas thus that jealousy did seem to work 
Between disciples true of John and Christ, 
But not between the masters who did each 
The other understand. 

Ill 

The Baptist answered thus his farewell speech : 
"Except it be from heav'n giv'n, a man 



JOHN'S MISSION ENDED. 39 

Can nought receive ; and witness thou dost bear 

I said that I the Christ am not, but 

Sent I am before ; for He that hath the bride 

The Bridegroom is. The Bridegroom's friend that by 

Him stands, Him heareth glad and greatly joys 

Because of Bridegroom's voice. Fulfilled, therefore, 

My joy is. Increase He must, but I 

Decrease." And hence no more we hear the hint 

That seemed a difif'rence sprung betwixt the two — 

Disciples taught of John and those of Christ. 

IV 

The work of John was done. As Jesus left 
The sacred scene baptismal — Jordan's shore — 
The Baptist cried : "Behold the Lamb of God," 
As he had cried before, "that takes away 
The sin of earth ;" and thus he turned himself 
To point the world to Christ. The "Voice" was hushed 
That cried so long to tell of Him to come. 
Except, in brief, to preach the Gospel first 
That emphasized the cross — "The Lamb of God" 
As slain to cancel racial guilt, the sin 
Impute to all the world of Adam born 
And lost to God. Theology was this 
Of John, the keynote struck for every age 



40 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

To come, and fundamental truth alone 
That saves mankind. 

V 

'Twas thus that John the Baptist set the pace 
For preachers all who teach the doctrine true 
That crucial blood exalts and sinners win. 
Vocation sole the preacher's is to point 
The world to Christ, "The Lamb of God" — as John. 
Disciples two, of his, that heard him thus, 
That day, their master left and followed Christ — 
Another John the great with Andrew named ; 
And yonder deep in desert wild began 
To build on Baptist John's foundation laid. 
With Christ, the Head, and they, the members two, 
A church did organize, the first in all 
The world, that grew to five and then apace 
To twelve — and then to members twenty and 
A hundred more — and on that wondrous day 
Of Pentecost to thousands. 

VI 

His work was done. How sad it seems to set 
Aside this mighty man, and leave him bound 
To such a fate ! How strange that he so young 
And great — so famed among the mass of men — 



JOHN'S MISSION ENDED. 41 

And having wrought so much for God should stop 
His grand career, decrease and disappear 
From sight of men! Why not a place 
Among the twelve and live immortal more 
To share their mighty work, as some ? 

VII 

But such was not the will of God ; for John 
A special mission had, peculiar so 
Relate, that other place he could not fill. 
The link he was betwixt the passing law 
And gospel new ; and though within the new 
As Spirit-born, his mould was legal and 
Ascetic cast, and so partook of both 
The dispensations represent — alone, 
Perhaps, misfit for either. Be it so 
Or no, 'twas meet that John should stand apart, 
His mission closed, as he had stood before, 
His work and glory all his own, as done 
For God alone, and so to pass from sight 
As other men. Elijah stern, the type 
Of John, his mantle left of old the mild 
Elisha, type of Christ ; and so, if true, 
The same of John and Christ baptized of John 
And Spirit-filled as John, but more than he 
With "double portion" full, unmeasured. 



42 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

VIII 

How great the Baptist's popularity 
With men in mass ; but never won at truth's 
Expense, nor kept for self or pelf, or cause 
Of any kind, except the cause of God — 
The good of man. Though knowing his "decrease' 
Of work and fame, he willing sank from out 
Of sight to honor Christ — the trial stern 
And hardest yet to bear with men of mind 
And heart so great and who. for any cause, 
Can willing cease to be; and greater thus 
In self-extinction shown, than at his height 
Of fame and deed, he took the palm from all 
The men to greatness known. "I must decrease," 
He said, "and he increase ;" and few there are 
For even Christ — to us so grander known — 
That sink themselves from sight and shed alone 
The light of crucial sacrifice, as John. 
Ah! Who can say, to serve the Master best, 
Or serve at all: "Behind the cross I'll hide 
Myself and name, or cheerful cease to be." 

IX 

A Baptist true was John and prototype. 
In every age, of Baptist true and tried 



JOHN'S MISSION ENDED. 43 

That martyr lived and died for Christ and truth. 
He was the first of Baptist preachers great 
Who Baptist doctrine preached, disciples made 
As Baptists make and so baptize ; and struck 
The primal blow that Baptists strike 
Against the infant rite. The Son of Man himself 
He Baptist dipped, and so of members first 
Who formed a church, disciples were of John 
And Baptist made ; and from this model church 
That Baptists formed, there sprang the churches all 
That apostolic grew. 

X 

From him we take the sacred Baptist name, 
Derived from sacred Baptist rite, as seen, 
The symbol true of every doctrine known 
To gospel grace and truth that saves the soul, 
And builds the church, or pledges fealty 
To Jesus Christ. It is the name, and broad 
And deep — all-comprehensive coined of God — 
Distinctive marks a people true of Christ 
Baptized, and churches so, that keep the word 
And order writ of God, sufficient rule, 
As strict construed and faithful lived. 
It is the name that crowns symbolic too 



44 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

The great Commission. "Go" — the mighty work 

Of missions taught for all the world — as in 

The name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost 

Discipled millions saved, baptized must be, 

As John did institute and Christ ordained. 

It is the name that symbols Baptist-life 

And history — dipped in blood and crowned, at last, 

With liberty and progress true for all — 

For all the world, and greatest boon of earth, 

Despite the world's opposing. 

XI 

O sacred name is this and holy ! Name 
Of Baptist martyr first and name of those 
He prototypes and symbolizes true 
xAnd all of truth they hold and practice still! 
To drop that name, or change it, sacrilege 
And treason be it would. 'Tis not an ism, 
And God forbid that to it we should add 
An ism ; for that which Baptist is, is not 
A Baptistism, nor more, Baptisticism. 
The Baptist name we take doth symbolize 
The Gospel whole. All other names applied 
Specific are of sect and certain forms 
Of truth and error mixed, or else and oft 



JOHN'S MISSION ENDED. 45 

Uncertain sound ; but when we say a thing 
Is Baptist so, or Baptist not, we say 
Enough for all that Baptists claim. 

XII 
The Baptist John did narrow seem to sin 
And error dark — to proud hypocrisy 
And pride — who preached to all the wrath to come; 
And narrow still, to some, he symbolized 
And taught the sinner's only Remedy — 
A Crucified Redeemer, ris'n again. 
The Christ and his apostles built on John; 
Nor ages since, nor ages yet to come, 
Can from his doctrine take, or to it add, 
To save or elevate the world. As true 
As steel and pure as gold, the Baptist was ; 
And Baptist true can ne'er improve upon 
His name or fame, his life and character. 
His truth or work — but only imitate. 
Enlarge and magnify. 



VI. DEATH OF JOHN. 

I 

The fate of all great men and good, as John, 
Who faithful and aggressive live for truth 
And righteousness are persecution dread 
And death predestined, where there's pow'r to kill 
And otherwise 'tis ostracism. To be 
And do the truth — to hold humility 
And honesty — no country, kindred dear 
Nor friend, unlike himself, can mortal know. 
Offense the deepest known to selfish man, 
Or devil dark, is unperverted truth. 
Fidelity to all the truth and whole 
Of God and good for man escape hath none 
From sword of lust rebuked, self-int'rest hurt. 
Of pride offended, popularity 
Or policy curtailed, of power dethroned. 
Or mean ambition checked. 

II 

Not only fate it is, but badge of true 
Discipleship to Christ, the loving Lord, 



DEATH OF JOHN. 47 

Whose word invokes a "woe" to all of whom 
The "all" speak well. It is impossible 
To duty live and suffer not, where sin 
And duty war; and he that arms for Christ 
And suffers not, doth only seem to fight, 
Or fight a partial battle faint, nor scares 
Nor hurts the Devil. Soundly true is he 
And roundly great that self forgets and wars 
For Christ against his foes — and all his foes — 
For every human good ; nor runs with hound 
And holds with hare, in any case, to keep 
His popularity, or policy 
To serve, that compromises God. 

Ill 

'Twas thus with John the Baptist, true and great, 
Who paid the price in full fidelity 
Entails to make immortal, and secure 
The martyr's crown. Though eating not, he came. 
And drinking not — abstemious and pure 
In life — they said : "He hath a devil." Scorned 
He was and ostracised by Pharisees 
And Scribes, that viper brood of hypocrites 
Who came to criticise, or boastful claim 
In Abrahamic line, baptismal rite. 



48 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Or question raise of his authority ; 
And but for John's far-reaching- fame and power 
That mighty held the common people fast, 
The haughty priests and theocrats had hushed, 
Perhaps, the "Voice" that in the wilderness, 
Did ring so long and loud for Christ. 

IV 
So now as then the same, and ever since. 
And yet to be, of circumcision or 
Its substitute, the infant rite, as seen, 
The root and pillar strong of Poj>ery 
That ever inquisition made and fierce, 
For ages long, of those who held it not, 
And has its millions burned ; and burn again 
It would except for freedom won and held 
In trust by common people, born of God 
And free themselves. "Beware," the Master said, 
"Of the Concision." 

V 

Again the Baptist came in conflict dread 
With Kingly power, the lust of which must be 
Condoned or give offense that deadly strikes 
The hero brave who speaks the truth in love. 
Upon the wicked Herod, face to face, 



DEATH OF JOHN. 49 

He charged adult'ry foul with brother's wife; 
And moved by her that, vicious woman-like, 
The deeper sting- of venomed hate inflamed. 
The Baptist seized, imprisoned, bound in chains 
And would have put to death, but fear deterred 
The King — the fear of those the "people" true 
That counted John a Prophet great. But more 
The Baptist feared because he was 
A righteous man and holy — so he kept 
Him safe the while from woman's vengeance vile. 

VI 

He oft with John communed, though much per- 
plexed, 
And heard him gladly, Felix-like, and might 
Hiave saved his soul, but courage failed to brave 
Undo the bonds the sinful past had tied — 
Resist the serpent-charm and guile that none 
But woman vile can wield, from which but few 
Among the mighty e'er escaped without 
The wreck of ruin ; nor Herod was, though touched 
With seeming good and much conviction moved, 
Exception to the fatal rule. 

vn 

Alas! What fate was this that hopeless chained 
The Baptist great in dungeon dark and vile _ 



so JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Of gloomy castle, wrapt in solitude 

Of mountain drear and wild, depressing bathed 

In Dead Sea vapors — far away from field 

Of active life, disciples' cheer, to close 

His grand career! His time was up, 'tis true, 

And closed his mission high, but why this fate 

Fidelity would otherwise have seemed 

To win ? How sad and strange it must have been 

To one who never shrank for God, nor blanched 

Before a duty stern, nor ever paled before 

An earthly foe! Nor is it strange that like 

Elijah old, his prototype — pursued 

Alike by woman fierce — discouraged deep 

Should be, imprisoned thus ; and dark with doubt, 

Send far away to Christ to know if Christ 

He was, or else should he for other look. 

Why should he thus imprisoned be, if Christ 

He witnessed true had come with mighty power? 

And so he seemed to pine as did the great 

Elijah, touched, though mighty man he was. 

With human weakness born, and comfort thus 

To weaker men, 

VHI 
As God Elijah, sunk in deep despair 
For purpose high permit, again inspired 



DEATH OF JOHN. 51 

And courage gave, so Christ the message sent 
To John in gloom and doubt of wonders done 
By Him of word and deed — of miracles 
That John himself had never done ; and thus, 
Perchance, the Baptist left uplift to bear 
And wait in hope and cheer the fate decreed 
Of him, unknown as yet, by woman's hate. 
"Decrease I must, increase must He," he said; 
And thus the past forgot, the present bore. 
And looked the future bravely in the face. 
He doubtless hoped, despite the vicious wife, 
That Herod's favor yet his bonds would break; 
But though the gloomy cell was lit by ray 
Of hope — and though communing oft with him 
Who forged his chain — the Baptist never once 
Apologized, nor softened down his charge 
Against the King who stood in awe and fear 
Before his pris'ner who, somehow, he heard 
And gladly — tribute grand as enemy 
Could give immortal dignity enchained 
At hands of brutal lust and cowardice, 
Without a fault as charged, and doomed to die. 

IX 

At last Herodias' hour for John had come — 
Her longed and looked-for opportunity 



52 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Her patient malice nursed had waited, watched. 
Till, like the hungry tigress stalking slow 
Her prey, she agile sudden sprang upon 
Her victim bound. The King had planned a feast, 
Licentious charged with wine and lordly crowned 
With revelry that inadvertent bred 
Indecency and madness reckless wrought. 
Herodias' daughter fair, by mother moved, 
Did lewdly dance before the noble throng 
With approbation loud that cheered and stirred 
The King intoxicate, unconscious all 
Of purpose dread, an oath to take that then 
Himself could not revoke — a promise wild 
That whatsoe'er the dancing girl should ask 
It should be giv'n. The loud uproar was hushed. 
''The head of John the Baptist!" boldly cried 
The daughter for the mother. 

X 

Poor Herod sobered thus a moment — blanched 
And sad, "exceeding sorry" was — but so 
Infatuate with lust and wine, impelled 
By sense of honor false, he blindly crushed 
The touch of grief that like a spark was quenched 
Within the icy gulf of oath-imposed 



DEATH OF JOHN. S3 

Conventionality. The gory head 

On charger fine was promptly brought and set 

Like dainty dish and light before the queen 

Whose vengeful appetite for blood of John 

Was sated full ; and round the sacrifice 

Of hate that gruesome dripped with sacred drops 

She danced, perhaps, with fiendish glee that shocked 

The wretched Herod whom the ghost of John 

The Baptist followed to his grave — and who 

When Christ to mighty fame had grown, he thought, 

With terror dread, had risen from the dead. 

XI 

Oh ! What a scene was this for devils' hate 
To glut and human fiends to signalize, 
Or terrify ! The gory head of John 
The Baptist yonder kept in mockish state. 
The trophy grim of princely lust rebuked ! 
His body yonder bathed in blood and left 
In dungeon dank for potter's field ! But no. 
The scene a brighter picture shows. The soul 
Of John the Baptist — freed from body bound 
In tyrant chains — released from duty stern 
And earthly conflicts sore — by angels borne 



54 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

To Paradise — has entered now the glory throng 
Amid the thrum of milHon harps that played 
The martyr's pean grand and million shouts 
Triumphant salutation rang, as ne'er 
Had welcome rung before. No "greater" man 
"Of woman born," had ever gone to wear 
The martyr's crown of glor3\ 

XII 

His poor disciples, dumb and helpless came 
And took his body — precious load — and sad, 
They buried soft away. Their lips were closed 
To fun'ral dirge or lofty eulogy, 
Except the eloquence of sighs and tears 
That volumes spoke of worth immortal Hved 
By him and monumental love enshrined 
By them ; and all they could they did — except 
To go and Jesus tell. The Bridegroom's friend 
Was gone, and orphans his disciples were 
That turned to seek, at last, the Bridegroom dear 
Whose counsel sweet his comfort gave and his 
Adoption — only source solution brings 
To every human problem dark, and spring 
Of every hope and joy. 



DEATH OF JOHN. S& 

XIII 
So closed the life of John the Baptist great. 
"A burning and a shining light was he;" 
And none were ever greater born, or lived 
A greater life, or died a greater death. 
"The deep damnation of his taking off" — 
His tragic end — bestowed the martyr crown 
And sealed to him immortal fame that stamped 
The signet of his character and truth 
His mission bore upon the mind and heart 
Of all the ages. God he glorified 
The more; and none can tell how much himself 
The deeper wrought in man by such 
A death that such a life did crown. 'Twas thus 
That, Samson-like, he slew in death the more 
Than in his life. "The least," the Master said. 
Than John was "greater" in the kingdom held 
Of heav'n — in privilege and dignity — 
As taught of Christ himself — as subjects trained 
Within his glorious church as organized 
And future built — but never man than John 
Was greater born and bred to all that makes 
A man — a man of men or man of God — 
Nor in results of life and character. 



56 JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

XIV 
As Teacher great the Christ compared himself 
To John who mourned, as He did pipe, the truth 
With none effect upon the masses deaf 
Of generation dead that heard them both — 
Lamenting not for John nor dancing yet 
For Him ; and so in both ahke the same 
To those who heard was Wisdom justified 
Of children hers and by her work. A man 
Was John, and not a reed as shaken by 
The wind in wilderness, nor clothed was he 
In raiment soft and imbecile in house 
Of Kings, but prophet great and "more" than such, 
Tlie Master said. Though not the Christ, he paved 
The way for Christ, foundation deep and broad 
Of Kingdom great he laid that Christ had come 
To build on faith, and next to Christ himself 
In place and dignity — the Bridegroom's FRIEND — 
Was John the Baptist. 



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